Transcribing In Vivo Blood Vessel Networks into In Vitro Perfusable Microfluidic Devices

• DOI: 10.1002/admt.202000103
• Publication Date: 2020-04-27T07:06:20Z
• Authors: Yih Yang Chen; Benjamin R. Kingston; Warren C. W. Chan
• Keywords: Polydimethylsiloxane; Vascular network

Abstract The 3D architecture of blood vessel networks dictates how nutrients, waste, and drugs are transported. These transport processes difficult to study in vivo, leading researchers develop methods construct vitro. However, existing require expensive, customized equipment cannot create large (>1 cm 3 ) constructs. This makes them inaccessible many or educators. Here, a method that transcribes images into physical microfluidic devices is developed. takes uses fused‐filament fabrication with standard polylactic acid (PLA) filament print the imaged network. printout cast polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dissolved, producing channels lined endothelial cells. Devices imprinted different including small intestinal villi, pancreatic islets, tumors from mice humans created. replicates complex geometries an vitro device commonly available materials. increases accessibility this technology by allowing educators without access expensive laser ablation microscope set‐ups custom printers be able vasculature network devices.